Fastener clip

Abstract

A fastener or routing clip for use in a vehicle is configured to reduce the surface area of that is in contact with the tube, wire, or cord to which it is mounted. The fastener clip simultaneously reduces vibration noise. The fastener clip may include two ends which may be connected to each other by a swivel hinge, which allows the two ends of the clip to close and snap-fit together. When in the closed position, the two ends, which further define corresponding semi-circular sections, will capture the tube, wire, cord, etc. thereby mounting them to the clip. The clip may then be mounted to the vehicle. The fastener clip may include at least one flex arm having a bulbous-like end that contacts and pushes on the tube, wire, cord, etc. to reduce the amount of surface contact between the tube, wire, cord, etc. and the clip, and functions as a dampener to reduce vibration noise.

1. A fastener clip for a vehicle comprising:
 a fastener body defining a first end and a second end, the first end and second end joined by a hinge, 
 the first end defining at least one semi-circular section and a hook, 
 the second end defining at least one semi-circular section and an opening for receiving the hook, the second end also defining an aperture for mounting the fastener clip to the vehicle, the semi-circular section of the second end defining an other opening therethrough and at least one tapered flex arm extending from an edge of the opening into the semi-circular section of the second end and further defining an end of the tapered flex arm radially inward of the semi-circular section of the second end, said end of the tapered flex arm having a bulbous-like configuration projecting from the arm into the semi-circular section, and said arm tapering from being wider at the bulbous-like configuration to narrower at the semi-circular section of the fastener body second end; 
 whereby the bulbous-like configuration at the end of the tapered flex arm is positioned to contact a tubular member mounted to the fastener clip and to hold the tubular member away from the semi-circular section of the second end. 
 
   
   
     2. The fastener clip of  claim 1  wherein the first end and second end of the fastener body are joined together by a swivel hinge. 
   
   
     3. The fastener clip of  claim 1 , wherein the first end further defines at least one tapered flex arm further defining an end. 
   
   
     4. The fastener clip of  claim 3  wherein the end of the tapered flex arm of the fastener body first end defines a bulbous-like configuration projecting into the semi-circular section. 
   
   
     5. The fastener clip of  claim 1  wherein the tubular member may be selected from the group consisting of tubes, wires, cords, cable bundles, rods, springs or bolts. 
   
   
     6. The fastener clip of  claim 1  wherein the semi-circular sections of the first end and second end align with each other to capture the tubular member when the fastener clip is in a closed position. 
   
   
     7. The fastener clip of  claim 1  wherein the first and second ends each define more than one semi-circular section. 
   
   
     8. A fastener clip for a vehicle comprising:
 a fastener body defining a first end and a second end, the first end and second end joined by a swivel hinge, 
 the first end defining at least one semi-circular section, 
 the second end defining at least one semi-circular section, the second end also defining a mounting member for mounting the fastener clip to the vehicle, the semi-circular section of the second end defining an opening therethrough and at least one tapered flex arm further extending into the opening and defining a bulbous-like end that extends from the arm radially inward of the semi-circular section of the second end, and said arm tapering from wider at the bulbous-like end to narrower at the semi-circular section of the fastener body second end. 
 
   
   
     9. The fastener clip of  claim 8  wherein the swivel hinge permits relative movement between the first end and second end. 
   
   
     10. The fastener clip of  claim 8  wherein the first end further defines an opening therethrough and at least one tapered flex arm extending into the opening and further defining an end radially inward of the at least one semi-circular section of the first end, wherein the end contacts a tubular member mounted to the fastener clip. 
   
   
     11. The fastener clip of  claim 10  wherein the ends of the tapered flex arms are positioned radially within an opening formed by the semi-circular sections of the joined ends. 
   
   
     12. The fastener clip of  claim 11  wherein each of the ends of the tapered flex arms are positioned in an opening formed in the respective semi-circular sections of the first and second ends. 
   
   
     13. The fastener clip of  claim 10  wherein the tubular member may be selected from the group consisting of tubes, wires, cords, cable bundles, rods, springs or bolts. 
   
   
     14. The fastener clip of  claim 13  wherein the semi-circular sections of the first end and second end align with each other to capture the tubular member when the fastener clip is in a closed position. 
   
   
     15. The fastener clip of  claim 14  wherein the first and second ends each define more than one semi-circular section. 
   
   
     16. A fastener clip for a vehicle comprising:
 a fastener body defining a first end and a second end, the first end and second end joined by a hinge that permits relative movement between the first and second ends, 
 the first end defining at least one opening therethrough and a tapered flex arm extending across the opening and having a bulbous end, the first end further defining a hook that engages the second end to permit the first and second ends to snap fit together, 
 the second end defining at least one opening therethrough and a tapered flex arm extending across the opening and having a bulbous end, the second end also defining a mounting member for mounting the fastener clip to the vehicle, 
 the bulbous-like ends of the tapered flex arms positioned inwardly on the arms relative to the openings to contact a tubular member mounted to the fastener clip to suspend the tubular member and to reduce vibration noise caused by the tubular member, and 
 the arms tapering from wider at the bulbous-like ends to narrower at the fastener body first and second ends. 
 
   
   
     17. The fastener clip of  claim 16  wherein the tapered flex arms position the bulbous-like ends against the tubular member without the tapered flex arms contacting the tubular member. 
   
   
     18. The fastener clip of  claim 16  wherein the mounting member includes a post and flexible protrusions. 
   
   
     19. The fastener clip of  claim 16  wherein the first and second ends each define semi-circular sections that will align with each other to capture the tubular member when the fastener clip is in a closed position, and the openings through the first and second ends extend through the semi-circular sections.